I woke up to the news that Peter Tork of the Monkees had died. I know he had been ill and he was in his seventies so it shouldn’t be a shock but it’s always a blow to hear someone you grew up admiring has passed away. I’m sure others will be able to say things about him that are more poignant and salient than I, simply a fan, could manage, so I’ll just leave you with one of my favorite Monkees songs – one in which Tork shared lead vocals with Davy Jones.

Thanks to all the most excellent Quizlings who came to play on this wild Wednesday. If you missed it, you missed a fantastic night! Obama stopped by before he went to Cameron Indoor and he asked a few Presidents’ Day questions to the assembled. Then we all gained the power of immortality and/or the ability to smite our enemies with our minds. Also, we gave away a Robocop t-shirt and every team got gift cards because that was the kind of night it was. Plus we brought some people back from the dead (sort of).

Bottom line: Trivia is awesome. Never. Miss. A. Single. Week.

Along the way, we chatted about Big Apple cocktails, old Oscar people and fancy dog winners. Plus there was this catchy tune from the mid-aughts…

Now let’s see how the teams stacked this week and we’ll plan to do it again next Wednesday!

It’s President’s Day. (Or is that Presidents Day? Maybe Presidents’ Day?) That’s why we here at THE FLEHMEN RESPONSE thought it a perfect opportunity to look back and reflect on those men who held the highest office in our land. What should you, as an American citizen, know about them? The important, salient points? The stuff Ken Jennings knows? Easy. Here it is, the four-one-one on the men who wouldn’t be king.

George Washington. First president. Wooden teeth. Chopped down a cherry tree. Once did it with Betsy Ross on an early version of Old Glory.

John Adams. Federalist. First President to occupy the White House. Had a fetish for powdered wigs. (more…)

Put a call into my financial advisor the other day. Wanted to check on my retirement account. He called back later to let me know that a near mint Charizard card and $250 in unused Flooz was not really much of a retirement plan. He also told me to lose his number or face a restraining order.

Retirement? Yeah … it looks like I’ll be bagging groceries until I’m 85.

Thanks to all the Quizlings who came to play on this Valentine’s Day Eve trivia outing. Another close game … and the winners readily admit they made it to first place by checking out my weekly trivia hints (follow me on Twitter @SparkyMacMillan). Hey, I’ve been doing this for a while now and there’s no real secret to winning. Ask me how to up your game and I’ll tell you.

This week, we got lost in the Bermuda Triangle, played football with the Alliance and won a Grammy with the Prez from Plains. And then there was this toy hit from Hasbro…

Now check out the team rankings for this week. See you next time Quizlings!

I think the most pathetic occupation ever must be the birthday party magician. Birthday party clowns I can understand; those suckers are already warped. But the magicians? Sad, oh so sad. Here you are, a craftsman, an artiste, finely honing your talent to the point your illusory skill can make people suspend their disbelief and “oooh” and “aaaah” over your marvelous feats. But due to the fact that you can’t get a good agent or you live in Hoboken, NJ or you just aren’t up to the standards of David Copperfield, you have to knock ‘em dead at 7-year-old Caitlin’s Chuck E. Cheese gala.

“This next trick was first conjured by the Augustinian Monks in the 6th century A.D. and has mystified the crowned heads of Europe –” “Make a balloon animal!” “What?” “Make a balloon doggie!” “Oy, my life sucks.”

A fantastic night of trivia, my Quizlings. Close game, that’s for sure (check out those scores). But that’s just how it plays out. Some weeks it’s a high scoring game – others … well, you wish I’d take a flying leap at a rolling doughnut.

What’d we get up to? We scored very low in tennis, misspelled a tuber and played in the Puppy Bowl. Plus there was this video short that’s really a commercial…

Now let’s see how your team did. Check it out and we’ll do it again next week with a special Valentine’s Day game.

Stupor Bowl

71

Brownie Dots

70

Presidentially Harassed? Ha Ha Ha

70

The New England Patriots Of Team Trivia

70

Bored Of Education

69

The State of Tomato Jake’s Is Strong

67

Nancy And Sluggo

66

The Rachel Ray Fan Club

61

This Team Is Made With Corn Syrup

60

State Of the Union As Unwatchable As The Super Bowl

59

Silence Of The Rams

59

Rams 3, Maroon 5

59

The State Of The Union Is Loooong

58

Fat Kids Win At See Saw

40

The Clean-Up Hitters

40

Many thanks to those who donated to pay for Quebec‘s eye surgery. Here’s a pic of the feline trooper below. Plus, check out the SEE Is For Cats Fund details if you want to do more.